The meaning of Apocalypse is a Prophetic revelation or disclosure of visions through which reveals God's devastating justice and dealings with sinful humanity and the rewards of those who faithfully follow Him. Events of great importance that take place in the future, of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehoods and misconceptions.
Like the Book of Revelation, the Book of Daniel is classified as Apocalyptic. The term is derived from the original Greek title of the Book of Revelation: 'Αποκάλυψις [Apokalypsis]. The word signifies the action of uncovering, disclosing, or revealing. Biblically, it refers to the scriptures that reveal information of future events to watch and prepare for that could not be obtained by any other means other than through God Himself. Events hidden through symbolism from those who deny Apocalyptic Prophecy and deem it as foolishness, who do not know God and will perish with its message, but to us who are saved; it is the very power of God Himself being declared and about to be demonstrated to its fullest extent.
Apocalyptic literature such as, Daniel and Revelation, have been intensely debated since the beginning of their writings, leading to many different and conflicting conclusions as to its true meaning. It is not my intent to further this debate or push one theory in setting up The Apocalypse Study Commentary, but to present the differing viewpoints of interpretation, with the added input of our members, into one complete Apocalyptic Bible Study, an open public square analysis forum. It is our goal in this Commentary to unveil what has been hidden to many by presenting the differing views of end time prophecy in a logical study and comment format.
What makes Apocalyptic writing so hard to understand is its use of imagery. Throughout this commentary we will be looking at the meaning of the many different images portrayed as well as its form, function, background and purpose. The more we understand the time of both Daniel and the Apostle John, the better we will be able to understand the meaning of their writings for us today.
Daniel in his day was not seen as a prophet since he was not appointed or ordained as one in the usual manner but was a slave and servant of the government of Babylon. A Prophets role was deemed as one who was called of God, to call the nation back to repentance for their ethical misdeeds and rejection of God’s way.
Daniel’s message was to enable the Israelites to walk through their history with the confidence and knowledge that God was working among them even though they were being dominated by the Gentiles. They viewed the writings of Daniel as historical literature, a revelation of the sovereign work of God, not in the historic pass tense but history given in advance of events about to happen. As in other historical literature, it showed Israel how to walk more faithfully in the ways of God when they saw His inclusive plan for them. This also stands true today for all whom through Saving Grace our grafted into the eternal promises given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Daniel.
Sections of Daniel are written in both the Hebrew and Aramaic language. Daniel 1:1 to Daniel 2:4a is written in Hebrew. Daniel 2:4b to 7:28 is written in Aramaic. Daniel 8:1 to Daniel 12:13 reverted back into Hebrew.
The popular belief is that the switch to Aramaic recognizes the Gentiles for they were the predominant population at Babylon as well as over the wider region during the sixth-century B.C. when Daniel wrote his book. The use of Aramaic may be intended to indicate that the subject matter of chapters 2-7 is of special interest to non-Jews. Another view and the one that I personally adhere to is that the Aramaic sections are actual court transcripts left in their original language for authenticity purposes.
The pinpoint accuracy of the prophecies in Daniel has many dating its writing to a much later date than the lifetime of Daniel. However the language used actually provides evidence of its early origin and reflects a sixth-century setting. The use of Greek and Persian loan words which influence the text for things such as musical instruments that were made abroad and sold in Babylon is what one would expect from a document written in the fifth century B.C. from the commercial center of the then world-empire.
Today Bible Scholars view Daniel as one of the Great Prophets for his prophetic visions and interpretations were clearly from God. The Greek translation of the Tanakh or Hebrew Scriptures is divided into 39 books according to subject matter which is the basis of the modern four-fold setup of the Old Testament. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures God is consistently depicted as the one who created the world and guides its history, this is why it is logical to place Daniel as part of the major prophets because of the many prophetic heavenly visions of future earth history written in the book that bears his name, Daniel.
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Law |
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy |
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History |
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther |
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Poetry |
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon |
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Prophets/Major |
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel |
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Prophets/Minor |
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. |
Each week the Friday edition of Prophecy Times Newsletter will bring you the next addition as we journey through this exciting cutting edge Apocalyptic Bible Study. I pray that this NEW commentary will be of use as a reference tool for shedding new light upon a subject that many Christians who take their bible seriously may find perplexing.
The blessings of Revelation 1:3 and Revelation 22:7 tells us that its message is to be read, heard and can be understood. To all who diligently study prophecy, this series will help in slowly revealing God’s hidden treasures and the joy of such discoveries will amply reward your effort.
Agree or disagree with a topic or have further insight, please add your Comment.
If something remains unclear, Please ask questions.
To help in understanding the prophetic symbols that we will be discussing throughout the books of Daniel and Revelation, I recommend that you study an article posted in the forums by Oleg,
Keys To Bible Symbols. By Oleg
Why cloak Bible prophecies in Symbols?
Luke 8 :10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'
Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.
Animals and their Parts
Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
Lion = Jesus/Powerful King i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23
Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
Wolf = Disguised Enemies that hunt in a time of darkness Matthew 7:15
Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37
Colors
White = Purity Revelation 19:8
Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4
Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects
Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35
Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
Stars = Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25;Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14
Miscellaneous Objects
Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105
Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
Wine = blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37
Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11;7:2, 3
Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
White Robes = Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
Jar / Vessel = Person Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5
Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5
Actions, Activities, and Physical States
Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11
People and Body Parts
Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105
Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10
Psalm 46 Friday September 16th, 2011
God is ever with us to help, provide refuge, security and peace.
God’s power is complete and his ultimate victory is certain.
He will not fail to rescue those who love him
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see the works of the Lord.
Be still and know that I am God
The Lord Almighty is with us.
Psalm 46
We see a celebration of deliverance from foes that would surround one.
Consider the fear of mountains or cities suddenly crumbling into the sea as the result of a nuclear blast but the psalm reveals that even if the world were to end we need not fear. In the face of utter destruction we can maintain a quiet confidence in God’s ability to save us. God is our refuge even in the face of total destruction, an eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance. Psalm 46:1-3
God is like a river who sustains us as long as we so identify with him and so abide therein but if we abandoned him His protection is likewise lifted giving the enemy inroads where previously God’s presence was a protection. Psalm 46:4-5
God’s final victory is inevitable. We all will one day stand before the Lord. We can choose now to take time to be still each day and amidst every circumstance. Psalm 46:10
In faith we need to declare the truths of Psalm 46:1-3
God is my refuge and the power that sustains me. He is my ever present help in time of need. Therefore I refuse to be afraid. I will not be moved to fear of find cause to be terrified.
(Joshua 1:5-9)
There is a river that flows through me, bringing joy to my life for God is within me and I shall thus abide for my heavenly Father is my ever present help. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Psalm 46:4-5
(John 7:38-39)
‘Tis a relationship with Christ our Lord and Savior.
Let us so confess Christ in all aspects of life appropriating the full benefits of that which He has made possible
HEREIN IS OUR ULTIMATE VICTORY
Study by Charlotte September 2011